The 1993 Gibson SG '61 Reissue in Vintage Cherry captures the slim, fast and stripped-back character of Gibson's early-1960s SG design, combining lightweight mahogany construction with powerful twin-humbucker electronics and exceptional upper-fret access.

With its mahogany body and neck, bound rosewood fingerboard, 24.75" scale, small '61-style pickguard and Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, it delivers the resonant midrange, sustain and immediate response that make the SG equally effective for blues, classic rock, hard rock and expressive lead playing.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition and carries serial number 91163380. There is visible tarnishing to the pickup covers, giving the hardware some natural age-related patina. A hardcase is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	SG '61 Reissue
Year	1993
Finish	Vintage Cherry
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Serial Number	91163380
Included	Hardcase
Notable Condition Point	Tarnishing to pickup covers
Main Appeal	Early-'90s USA SG with vintage-inspired '61 specification
Best For	Blues, classic rock, hard rock, alternative and lead guitar

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This 1993 Gibson SG '61 Reissue is presented in Very Good Condition, showing cosmetic signs of careful previous use while remaining fully functional.

The most notable cosmetic feature is tarnishing to the metal pickup covers. This is visible age-related wear to the hardware and contributes to the guitar's naturally played-in appearance.

What's Included?

✔ 1993 Gibson SG '61 Reissue Vintage Cherry
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Tarnishing visible on pickup covers
• General cosmetic wear consistent with age and previous use
• Hardcase included
• Serial number: 91163380

No other specific faults, repairs or modifications are noted.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Gibson SG has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Neck humbucker tested
• Bridge humbucker tested
• Three-way pickup selector checked
• Individual volume controls checked
• Individual tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Neck condition assessed
• Rosewood fingerboard inspected
• Frets checked
• Tuning machines assessed
• Tune-O-Matic bridge checked
• Stopbar tailpiece inspected
• Pickup-cover condition assessed
• Hardware checked
• General playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for setup and general playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge setup
• Hardware
• General playability

Wooden instruments can respond naturally to changes in temperature and humidity during transportation, so minor setup adjustment may occasionally be desirable.

What Makes The Gibson SG '61 Reissue Special?

The SG '61 Reissue focuses on the features that made Gibson's early SG design so distinctive: a slim double-cutaway mahogany body, fast upper-fret access, small pickguard, set mahogany neck and twin humbuckers. Compared with heavier single-cut guitars, the SG feels immediate and responsive, with a strong midrange voice that cuts naturally through a band mix.

This 1993 example also has the appeal of being an older USA-made Gibson rather than a modern interpretation of the design. Its Vintage Cherry finish and naturally tarnished pickup covers give it an authentic played-in appearance that suits the uncompromising character of the SG particularly well.

Key Features & Benefits

Mahogany SG Construction

The mahogany body and set mahogany neck give the guitar a resonant, mid-focused character with plenty of sustain while keeping the overall instrument notably slimmer than a traditional Les Paul.

Twin Humbucker Electronics

Two covered Gibson humbuckers provide a broad range of tones, from warm neck-pickup sounds through to the stronger attack and definition of the bridge position, with independent volume and tone controls for each pickup.

Excellent Upper-Fret Access

The SG's deep double cutaways and neck joint make the upper register exceptionally accessible, one of the major reasons the design remains popular with lead guitarists.

24.75" Scale Length

Gibson's familiar 24.75" scale gives the strings a slightly softer feel than a longer-scale electric guitar, making bends, vibrato and expressive lead techniques particularly comfortable.

Tune-O-Matic And Stopbar Hardware

The traditional Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide straightforward intonation adjustment and a solid, dependable string anchor.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Gibson SG '61 Reissue vs Gibson SG Standard

A regular SG Standard generally reflects a broader mixture of historic and contemporary SG features, while the '61 Reissue concentrates more heavily on the appearance and feel associated with the earliest SG Standards, including its smaller pickguard and vintage-inspired styling.

Gibson SG '61 Reissue vs Gibson Les Paul Standard

A Les Paul Standard uses a thicker single-cut body with a maple cap, producing a different feel and generally greater physical weight. The SG is lighter, offers easier upper-fret access and has a more immediate, aggressive character that particularly suits energetic rhythm and lead playing.

Gibson SG '61 Reissue vs Modern SG Standard '61

A current SG Standard '61 provides a contemporary new-instrument interpretation of the same early-'60s concept. This 1993 guitar offers the additional attraction of more than three decades of natural ageing and genuine early-'90s Gibson character.

Who Is It For?

Classic rock players – The SG's strong midrange and twin humbuckers pair naturally with overdriven valve amplifiers.

Blues guitarists – Its short scale and responsive neck pickup make expressive bends and dynamic lead work particularly comfortable.

Hard rock players – The bridge humbucker delivers plenty of definition for riffs, power chords and higher-gain sounds.

Lead guitarists – Exceptional upper-fret access and a slim body make the SG particularly well suited to extended solo work.

Players looking for an older USA Gibson – A strong option for musicians who want genuine early-'90s Gibson character rather than a current-production guitar.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Classic rock
• Hard rock
• Blues
• Blues rock
• Heavy rock
• Alternative
• Indie
• Punk
• Garage rock
• Progressive rock
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Overdriven valve amplifiers

Why Choose A '61-Style SG?

The early SG design has remained popular because it combines simple construction with excellent ergonomics. Its thin mahogany body is easy to move with on stage, the double cutaways provide almost unrestricted access to the highest frets and the shorter Gibson scale makes bends and vibrato feel naturally expressive.

Twin humbuckers also give the format plenty of versatility. The neck position can deliver warmer blues and clean sounds, while the bridge pickup provides the bite and focus required for classic rock and heavier styles.

For players who find a Les Paul physically substantial but still want a traditional twin-humbucker Gibson, the SG remains one of the most natural alternatives.

Story & Context

The SG design emerged in 1961 as Gibson dramatically reworked its solid-body electric guitar range.

Its thinner double-cutaway mahogany body offered easier upper-fret access and a radically different appearance from the heavier single-cut Les Paul design that preceded it. The instrument quickly developed its own identity and eventually became one of Gibson's longest-running electric guitar designs.

The '61 Reissue was created to revisit those earliest SG characteristics, particularly the small pickguard, slim double-cutaway body and vintage-influenced appointments.

This 1993 example comes from an interesting period of Gibson USA production and now carries more than three decades of natural age, giving it a very different personality from a newly manufactured reissue.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	SG '61 Reissue
Year	1993
Serial Number	91163380
Country of Manufacture	USA
Finish	Vintage Cherry
Body Shape	SG
Body Material	Mahogany
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Fingerboard Inlays	Trapezoid
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickups	Twin Covered Gibson Humbuckers
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Pickguard	Small '61-Style
Hardware Finish	Nickel / Chrome
Pickup Cover Condition	Tarnished
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The twin humbuckers and traditional Gibson electronics are passive and connect to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 1993 Gibson SG '61 Reissue in Vintage Cherry is a compelling choice for players looking for an older USA Gibson with the fast feel and unmistakable character of the early SG design.

Its lightweight mahogany construction, excellent upper-fret access and twin-humbucker layout make it a natural fit for blues and classic rock through to harder styles. The tarnishing on the pickup covers gives this Very Good Condition example some genuine age-related visual character rather than affecting its fundamental appeal as a working instrument.

Supplied with a hardcase, this is an excellent opportunity to own a well-established early-'90s Gibson SG with plenty of personality.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Older guitars develop individual character through years of use, making an honest assessment of the actual instrument especially important.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually checked before sale, with notable cosmetic details such as the pickup-cover tarnishing on this SG clearly described to help customers make an informed decision.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new, used and pre-owned musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with Gibson and pre-owned guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing gear could help towards the cost of this Gibson.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current equipment could be worth towards this Gibson SG '61 Reissue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the tarnishing on the pickup covers affect the sound?

No. Tarnishing is a cosmetic change to the metal surface and does not in itself affect the electrical operation of the pickups.

How does a '61 Reissue differ from a regular SG Standard?

The '61 Reissue places greater emphasis on the styling and feel of Gibson's earliest SG Standards, including the small pickguard and vintage-inspired presentation.

Is an SG lighter than a Les Paul?

SGs are generally lighter because of their significantly thinner mahogany body and lack of a carved maple cap, making them popular with players who want Gibson humbucker tones in a less substantial instrument.

Is the SG good for lead guitar?

Yes. The deep double cutaways provide excellent access to the highest frets, making the SG particularly comfortable for lead playing.

What is the neck scale length?

It uses Gibson's traditional 24.75" scale length, which provides a slightly softer string feel than a 25.5" Fender-style scale.

Can this guitar handle high-gain sounds?

Yes. Its twin humbucker configuration works extremely well with overdrive, distortion and higher-gain amplifiers for hard rock and heavier styles.

Is it suitable for clean playing?

Yes. The neck humbucker can provide warm clean tones, while the bridge and middle pickup combinations can be balanced using the individual volume controls for additional tonal variation.

Does the guitar require a battery?

No. Its pickups and controls are completely passive.

What type of bridge does it use?

The guitar uses Gibson's traditional Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece arrangement.

Is a 1993 Gibson SG suitable for regular gigging?

Yes. This guitar remains a practical working instrument and its SG design is particularly well suited to live use thanks to its compact body, strong upper-fret access and straightforward electronics.

Can I request a closer look at the tarnishing and overall condition?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is particularly useful for older pre-owned guitars and can provide a closer look at the individual cosmetic condition before purchase.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.